Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Our Ref.: 254-0002CAP1
Specification
EXHAUST EXTRACTION SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to ventilation systems and, in
particular, to systems for
capturing and removing exhaust gases emitted from vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Transport vehicles of various types, such as trucks and trains, emit
exhaust gas as a result
of combustion of fuels by their engines. For example, a diesel locomotive of a
train produces
diesel combustion exhaust during its operation. Emissions from diesel vehicles
pose significant
health concerns. In particular, exposure to diesel exhaust and diesel
particulate matter is an
occupational hazard to railroad and train garage/depot workers, residents in
the vicinity of rail
yards, and miners using diesel-powered equipment in underground mines.
[0003] Local exhaust ventilation systems are designed to reduce exposure to
harmful airborne
contaminants, such as gases, vapours, and fumes, in a workplace. It would be
advantageous to
provide a ventilation system that is suitable for installation and operation
in facilities for
maintaining trains.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0004] Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying
drawings which
show example embodiments of the present application and in which:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example exhaust extraction system in
accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a front view of the example exhaust extraction system of FIG.
1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the example exhaust extraction
system of FIG. 1 along
line 1-1.
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[0008] FIG. 4 is a front view of another example exhaust extraction system.
[0009] Like reference numerals are used in the drawings to denote like
elements and features.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0010] In one aspect, the present disclosure describes an exhaust extraction
system for a train.
The system includes: a stationary duct extending longitudinally along a first
axis, the stationary
duct having a duct wall that defines a plurality of openings providing passage
to an interior of the
stationary duct; a suction source for creating suction in the interior of the
stationary duct; at least
one cover flap covering the plurality of openings, the at least one cover flap
being positioned on
an exterior surface of the duct wall; a guide track extending longitudinally
in spaced parallel
relation to the stationary duct; and a carriage that is movable along the
guide track. The carriage
includes: an exhaust duct having an outlet at a first end and an inlet at a
second end opposite to
the first end, the inlet for receiving exhaust gas from a locomotive; and a
support frame for
supporting the exhaust duct in a fixed vertical position and substantially
perpendicular to the
stationary duct, wherein the carriage is operable to move the at least one
cover flap to uncover
one or more of the plurality of openings that align with the outlet as the
carriage moves along the
guide track.
[0011] In some implementations, the plurality of openings may be arranged
longitudinally in
spaced relation to each other along an upper portion of the stationary duct.
[0012] In some implementations, the guide track may comprise one or more guide
rails and the
carriage may be movably mounted on the one or more guide rails.
[0013] In some implementations, the carriage may further include one or more
wheels that are
rotatably mounted on the one or more guide rails.
[0014] In some implementations, the guide track may comprise a pair of
parallel rails
[0015] In some implementations, the carriage may further include one or more
wheels that are
rotatably mounted on the one or more guide rails.
[0016] In some implementations, the carriage may comprise a trolley that is
supported on the
one or more guide rails.
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[0017] In some implementations, the stationary duct and the one or more guide
rails may be
configured to be supported from ceiling joists.
[0018] In some implementations, the at least one cover flap may be made of an
elastic material
and the support frame may support the exhaust duct such that at least part of
the outlet is slidably
maintained between the duct wall and the at least one cover flap.
[0019] In some implementations, the at least one cover flap may comprise a
single cover flap
covering all of the plurality of openings.
[0020] In some implementations, the exhaust duct may include a flange at the
first end and the
support frame may support the exhaust duct such that the flange cooperates
with the exterior
surface of the duct wall to form an air-tight seal.
[0021] In some implementations, the at least one cover flap may comprise a
plurality of cover
flaps, each cover flap covering a respective opening.
[0022] In some implementations, the carriage may further include one or more
retractable
projections that are configured to push against cover flaps for the plurality
of openings to cause
the cover flaps to be displaced from a closed position to an open position.
[0023] In some implementations, the exhaust duct may comprise a duct pipe.
[0024] In some implementations, the support frame may support the exhaust duct
such that the
inlet is maintained a fixed horizontal distance away from the stationary duct.
[0025] In some implementations, the exhaust duct may be affixed to the support
frame.
[0026] In some implementations, the system may further comprise an electric
motor which
drives movement of the carriage along the guide track.
[0027] In some implementations, spacing between adjacent openings on the duct
wall may be
uniform.
[0028] In some implementations, the guide track may be positioned vertically
above the
stationary duct.
[0029] In some implementations, the plurality of openings may comprise at
least one pair of
openings that are aligned along a cross-sectional perimeter of the stationary
duct.
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[0030] In some implementations, the second end of the exhaust duct may be
configured for
connection to an exhaust pipe of a locomotive or other type of vehicle.
[0031] Other example embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to
those of
ordinary skill in the art from a review of the following detailed descriptions
in conjunction with
the drawings.
[0032] In the present application, the term "and/or" is intended to cover all
possible combination
and sub-combinations of the listed elements, including any one of the listed
elements alone, any
sub-combination, or all of the elements, and without necessarily including
additional elements.
[0033] In the present application, the phrase "at least one of... or..." is
intended to cover any
one or more of the listed elements, including any one of the listed elements
alone, any sub-
combination, or all of the elements, without necessarily excluding any
additional elements, and
without necessarily requiring all of the elements.
[0034] Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 and 2, which show an example exhaust
extraction
system 100. The exhaust extraction system 100 may be used for capturing and
removing gas
emitted from trains. The exhaust extraction system 100 may be installed in the
interior of a
facility 500 for performing repair and maintenance on trains. For example, the
exhaust extraction
system 100 may be located in a repair or servicing depot for trains. As will
be described below,
the exhaust extraction system 100 may be used to extract exhaust gases emitted
from a
locomotive or railcar as it moves through the facility 500.
[0035] The exhaust extraction system 100 includes a stationary duct 102. The
stationary duct
102 is a duct that extends horizontally along a section spanning a fixed
distance in the interior of
facility 500. In particular, the stationary duct 102 extends longitudinally
along an axis for at least
a predetermined first distance. For example, the stationary duct 102 may
extend lengthwise
between a first location 170 and a second location 180 in the interior of
facility 500. The stretch
of space between the first location 170 and the second location 180 may
represent a portion or
entirety of the navigable space of facility 500. The first location 170 and
the second location 180
may, for example, correspond to opposite ends of a parking space for a
locomotive inside the
facility 500.
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[0036] The stationary duct 102 includes a duct wall 105 that defines an
interior space of the
stationary duct 102. In at least some embodiments, the stationary duct 102 may
comprise a pipe
or a plurality of pipes connected in series. The stationary duct 102 serves as
a conduit for exhaust
gas that is collected from a locomotive, railcar, etc. For example, the
extracted exhaust gas may
be removed from, treated in (e.g. purified), and/or directed to be
recirculated from the stationary
duct 102.
[0037] The stationary duct 102 is connected to a suction source 103.
Specifically, a suction
source 103 may be in fluid communication with the interior of the stationary
duct 102. The
suction source 103 is configured to create suction in the interior space of
the stationary duct 102.
For example, the suction source 103 may be a vacuum pump or a ventilation fan
that is driven by
a motor. The suction source 103 creates a partial vacuum within the stationary
duct 102, causing
inflow of air into the interior space of the stationary duct 102.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the duct wall 105 of the stationary duct 102
defines a plurality of
openings 106. The openings 106 provide passage to the interior of the
stationary duct 102 from
outside the stationary duct 102. In particular, the openings 106 allow fluids
(e.g. gas) to flow
through the duct wall 105 and into the interior space of the stationary duct
102.
[0039] The openings 106 may be arranged longitudinally in spaced relation to
each other on the
duct wall 105. In particular, the openings 106 may be located along an upper
portion of the
stationary duct 102. For example, the openings 106 may be defined on the upper
half of the duct
wall 105. The openings 106 may also be aligned longitudinally on the duct wall
105. In some
embodiments, two or more of the openings 106 may be circumferentially aligned
on the
stationary duct 102. That is, two or more openings 106 may be positioned along
a line on the
circumference of the stationary duct 102. More generally, at least one pair of
openings 106 may
be aligned along a line on the cross-sectional perimeter of the duct wall 105,
i.e. perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis of the stationary duct 102.
[0040] In some embodiments, the openings 106 may have predefined minimal
dimensions. For
example, the cross-sectional width of each opening 106 may be greater than or
equal to 6 inches.
The spacing between adjacent openings 106 may be uniform. That is, each pair
of adjacent
openings 106 may be separated by the same predefined distance. For example,
the openings 106
may be positioned in increments of 8 inches along the length of the stationary
duct 102.
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[0041] The exhaust extraction system 100 includes at least one cover flap 108
for covering the
openings 106. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a single cover flap 108 is shown, covering all
of the openings
106. The cover flap 108 is mounted on the exterior surface of the duct wall
105 such that it
covers the openings 106. The cover flap 108 may be positioned on an upper
portion of the
stationary duct 102. For example, if the plurality of openings 106 are located
on the upper half of
the duct wall 105, the cover flap 108 may be similarly positioned in the upper
half. In its natural
position, the cover flap 108 covers the openings 106. In particular, due to
the effect of gravity
acting on the cover flap 108 and suction pressure produced in the interior of
stationary duct 102
by the suction source 103, the cover flap 108 keeps the openings 106
covered/closed in its
natural position.
[0042] The cover flap 108 may be constructed of an elastic material, such as
neoprene or rubber.
More generally, the cover flap 108 may be made from a flexible and durable
material, allowing
the cover flap 108 to be stretched or bent.
[0043] In some embodiments, the exhaust extraction system 100 may include
multiple different
cover flaps 108. Each cover flap 108 may be configured to cover a respective
opening 106. The
cover flaps 108 may be hingedly attached to the exterior surface 190 of the
duct wall 105. For
example, for each of the openings 106, a respective cover flap 108 may be
located adjacent to the
opening and connected, via a hinge, to the exterior surface 190 of the
stationary duct 102 such
that the cover flap 108 covers the opening. Each cover flap 108 may be moved
between a closed
position, in which the cover flap 108 covers the respective opening, and an
open position, in
which the opening is substantially unobstructed by the cover flap 108. In the
open position, a
cover flap 108 may swing outwardly away from the opening 106. Alternatively,
the cover flaps
108 may be attached to the interior surface of the duct wall 105, adjacent to
respective openings
106. In the open position, a cover flap 108 may swing inwardly away from the
opening 106 and
toward the central longitudinal axis of the stationary duct 102.
[0044] The exhaust extraction system 100 includes a guide track 104. The guide
track 104
extends longitudinally in spaced parallel relation to the stationary duct 102.
For example, the
guide track 104 may extend, at least, between the first location 170 and the
second location 180
in the facility 500. In at least some embodiments, both the stationary duct
102 and the guide
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track 104 may be configured to be supported, or suspended, from ceiling joists
in the interior of
facility 500.
[0045] The exhaust extraction system 100 further includes at least one
carriage 110 that is
movable along the guide track 104. The carriage 110 includes an exhaust duct
120 and a support
frame 130 for supporting the exhaust duct in a fixed vertical position. The
exhaust duct 120 and
the support frame 130 are connected to each other. For example, the exhaust
duct 120 may be
affixed directly onto the support frame 130. The carriage 110 may be
configured to be guided
along the guide track 104 synchronously with the movement of a locomotive from
which exhaust
is to be extracted. For example, as the locomotive moves between the first
location 170 and the
second location 180, the carriage 110 may be configured to move in sync with
the locomotive. In
at least some embodiments, the exhaust extraction system 100 may include a
plurality of
carriages 110 that are independently movable along the guide track 104. For
example, multiple
different locomotives or vehicles may be concurrently serviced to extract
exhaust gases when
they are driven parallel to the guide track 104 and each of the carriages 110
is used to extract
exhaust from a respective locomotive/vehicle. The carriages 110 may be
positioned adjacent to
each other along the guide track 104, the attainable position of each carriage
110 being delimited
by the positions of its adjacent carriages 110 and/or the ends of the guide
track 104.
[0046] The exhaust duct 120 has an outlet 122 at a first end and an inlet 124
at a second end
opposite to the first end. Exhaust gas emitted from the locomotive is received
through the inlet
124 of the exhaust duct 120. In at least some embodiments, the exhaust duct
120 comprises a
duct pipe. For example, the exhaust duct 120 may be a duct pipe having an
exhaust capture
portion, such as an exhaust hood or similar capture panel, at the second end.
The exhaust capture
portion may have a funnel shape, i.e. widest at the opening and tapering
toward the conduit
portion of the duct pipe. In some embodiments, the exhaust capture portion may
be adapted for
connection to an exhaust pipe of the locomotive. That is, the exhaust duct 120
may be connected
to the exhaust pipe such that gas emitted from the locomotive is channeled
directly through the
exhaust duct 120. For example, the exhaust capture portion may be adapted for
mating
engagement with an outer flange portion of an exhaust pipe of the locomotive.
[0047] The support frame 130 is configured to support the exhaust duct 120 at
a fixed height
above the ground, and substantially perpendicular to the stationary duct 102.
In particular, the
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Specification
support frame 130 maintains the inlet 124 of the exhaust duct 120 at a desired
vertical position as
the carriage 110 moves along the guide track 104. In this way, the inlet 124
can be maintained at
a fixed vertical position with respect to the exhaust outlet (i.e. pipe) of
the locomotive. For
example, the inlet 124 may be supported directly above the exhaust outlet of
the locomotive as
the locomotive moves throughout the facility 500. The vertical position of the
inlet 124 may be
varied by adjusting the support frame 130, which allows the exhaust extraction
system 100 to be
used with locomotives of varying height.
[0048] The support frame 130 may also be configured to support the exhaust
duct 120 such that
the inlet 124 is maintained a fixed horizontal distance away from the
stationary duct 102. The
locomotive may be driven along a section of the facility 500 from the first
location 170 to the
second location 180 when the locomotive is serviced using the exhaust
extraction system 100. In
particular, the locomotive may be driven substantially parallel to the
stationary duct 102. The
support frame 130 may thus maintain the inlet 124 in vertical alignment with
an exhaust outlet of
the locomotive. When the locomotive is in motion, the movement of the carriage
110 along the
guide track 104 allows the inlet 124 to remain vertically aligned with the
exhaust outlet of the
locomotive. The horizontal position of the inlet 124 may be varied by
adjusting the support
frame 130, which allows the exhaust extraction system 100 to be used with
locomotives of
varying width. For example, the support frame may comprise a telescopic arm
that is connected
to the exhaust duct 120 and is horizontally adjustable in length.
[0049] In at least some embodiments, the guide track 104 comprises one or more
stationary
guide rails. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the guide track 104 may be a
pair of parallel rails
that are supported or suspended from ceiling joists. The guide track 104, in
this example, is
positioned vertically above the stationary duct 102. The carriage 110 may thus
be configured for
movement along the one or more guide rails. In particular, the carriage 110
may include one or
more wheels that are rotatably mounted on the guide rails. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG.
4, the carriage 210 is a trolley that is supported on guide rails 204. The
exhaust duct 220 is
suspended from the trolley and supported at a fixed vertical position, such
that the inlet 224 of
the exhaust duct 220 is maintained above the locomotive and the outlet 222 of
the exhaust duct
220 makes contact with an upper portion of the stationary duct 202.
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[0050] In some embodiments, the movement of carriage 110 along guide track 104
may be
driven by an external power source that is coupled to the wheels of the
carriage 110. For example,
an electric motor may be drivingly coupled to the carriage wheels. The
movement of the carriage
110 may be controlled, either manually or automatically, using a controller
for the carriage 110.
The wheels may, for example, be electrically connected to a control system
that can be managed
remotely (e.g. using a computing device). In some other embodiments, the
carriage 110 may be
drawn by the locomotive. For example, the exhaust duct 120 may be coupled
directly to an
exhaust pipe of the locomotive, and the carriage 110 may be configured to run
freely along the
guide track 104, drawn by the locomotive as it moves along from the first
location 170 to the
second location 180. In such embodiments, the exhaust duct 120 is detachable
from the exhaust
pipe, such that when the locomotive has reached an end position, the carriage
110 may be
returned to its start position (e.g. first location).
[0051] The carriage 110 is operable to move the at least one cover flap 108 to
uncover one or
more of the plurality of openings 106 that align with the outlet 122 as the
carriage 110 moves
along the guide track 104. As the locomotive moves alongside the stationary
duct 102, the
carriage 110 also undergoes movement, along the guide track 104 and
substantially in parallel
with the locomotive. During this movement, the outlet 122 aligns with openings
106 at different
locations along the duct wall 105. The carriage 110 is operable to move the at
least one cover
flap 108 such that the openings 106 that align with the outlet 122 are
uncovered (i.e. moved from
a closed position to an open position). In this way, the exhaust gas that is
extracted from a
locomotive and channeled in the exhaust duct 120 can be removed through the
outlet 122 and the
openings 106 aligning with the outlet 122, due to the suction created in the
interior of the
stationary duct 102 by suction source 103. Since the carriage 110 moves
synchronously with the
locomotive, the outlet 122 will align with different ones of the openings 106
during its
movement, and exhaust gas in the exhaust duct 120 can be removed through said
different
openings 106.
[0052] FIG. 3 illustrates an example mechanism for moving the cover flap 108
to uncover one or
more openings 106. In this embodiment, the support frame 130 supports the
exhaust duct 102
such that at least part of the outlet 122 is slidably maintained between the
duct wall 105 and the
cover flap 108. In particular, a portion of the flexible cover flap 108 that
is aligned with the
position of the outlet 122 may be lifted by (and thereby rest on top of) at
least part of the first end
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of the exhaust duct 120. For example, the exhaust duct 120 may have a flange
portion defining
the outlet 122 at the first end, and this flange portion may be slidably
maintained below the cover
flap 108. As the carriage 110 moves, the flange / outlet portion moves along
the duct wall 105,
lifting the cover flap 108 at different points and thereby uncovering the
openings 106 which
align with the flange / outlet portion. The openings 106 that are not aligned
with the flange /
outlet portion remain covered, or closed, due to the effect of suction created
in the interior of
stationary duct 102 on the cover flap 108. The exhaust gas that is channeled
in the exhaust duct
120 is removed through the outlet 122 and those openings 106 that align with
the outlet 122, also
as a result of the suction in the interior of stationary duct 102.
[0053] Other mechanisms for uncovering the openings 106 may be employed for
the exhaust
extraction system 100 when there are multiple different cover flaps 108. For
example, the
carriage 110 may include one or more projections at the first end of the
exhaust duct 120 that are
configured to move a cover flap 108 for an opening 106 from closed to open
position. For
example, the projections may be retractable, such that during movement of the
carriage 110
along the guide track 104, the projections remain in their retracted state
until they are aligned
with one or more of the openings 106. Each of the projections (e.g.
retractable pin) may be
configured to push against a respective cover flap 108 to cause the cover flap
108 to be displaced
from the closed position. In particular, when a projection aligns with an
opening 106, the
projection may press against the cover flap 108, causing the cover flap 108 to
swing inward,
leaving the opening 106 uncovered. The projection may then partially extend
into the interior
space of stationary duct 102, keeping the cover flap 108 in the open position.
[0054] As another example, the carriage 110 may include magnetic components
which can draw
one or more of the cover flaps 108 to the open position when the magnetic
components align
with the respective openings 106. For example, the cover flaps 108 may include
or have affixed
thereon metal plates, and the cover flaps 108 may swing to the open position
as a result of the
magnetic force acting on the metal plates.
[0055] In at least some embodiments, the exhaust duct 120 may include a flange
portion at the
outlet 122, and the support frame 130 may support the exhaust duct 120 such
that the flange
presses against the exterior surface 190 of the duct wall 105 to form a
substantially air-tight seal.
This configuration may ensure that exhaust gas that is removed from the
locomotive and
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channeled through the exhaust duct 120 flows through the outlet 122 into the
stationary duct 102,
without leaking.
[0056] It should be noted that one or more of the components of the exhaust
extraction systems
described herein may be used or employed independently. For example, the guide
track (e.g.
stationary rails) and a carriage that is movable on the guide track may be
employed as part of an
exhaust extraction system for locomotives, without using a stationary duct as
set forth in the
embodiments described above. The outlet of the exhaust duct may, for example,
be connected to
a hose, instead of a stationary duct, for removing the exhaust received
through an inlet of the
exhaust duct. As a further example, the exhaust duct may be movable by
attaching, at one end, to
an exhaust pipe of a locomotive, and being slidable along the exterior surface
of the stationary
duct. In particular, the exhaust duct may move with the locomotive without the
use of a guide
track/rail system.
[0057] The various embodiments presented above are merely examples and are in
no way meant
to limit the scope of this application. Variations of the innovations
described herein will be
apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art, such variations being within
the intended scope of
the present application. In particular, features from one or more of the above-
described example
embodiments may be selected to create alternative example embodiments
including a sub-
combination of features which may not be explicitly described above. In
addition, features from
one or more of the above-described example embodiments may be selected and
combined to
create alternative example embodiments including a combination of features
which may not be
explicitly described above. Features suitable for such combinations and sub-
combinations would
be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art upon review of the present
application as a whole.
The subject matter described herein and in the recited claims intends to cover
and embrace all
suitable changes in technology.
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